Susanville in Lassen County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Burial of Peter Lassen
“Three years later, on June 24, 1862, a ten-foot monument was erected over this grave. The inscription was as follows: ‘In memory of Peter Lassen, the pioneer, who was killed by the Indians, April 26, 1859.’
“Under the inscription a gun was crossed by an arrow and there was a powder horn hanging from the gun. The monument was made from volcanic rock from the same area. Unfortunately, the monument was […] disintegrated by weathering – and on September 20th, 1917, a new monument, made of granite, was erected near the old one. The inscription on the granite shaft is as follows: ‘Peter Lassen, A Native of Denmark, Age sixty-six, Killed February 26th, 1859.’ “As it will be seen, both his age – and the date on which he was killed, are incorrect. Peter Lassen was 58 years old when he was killed, and the murder took place on April 26 – Not on February 26!”
Taken from “Uncle Peter”, By Rene Weybe Lassen, pages 106-107
“On May 22, 1859, the following statement was given at a meeting of the Masonic Lodge of Honey Lake Valley held in Susanville:
‘Resolved, That the death of Peter Lassen the community has suffered the loss of an enterprising citizen, a warm-hearted friend, a true and faithful brother, and one of the most ardent members of the brethren of Western State Star Lodge number two at Shasta, California, of which he was a member.’’’ from “Uncle Peter” on page 108
THE CONTROVERSY CONTINUES… ,
“In connection with Peter Lassen’s death, the following question has been raised several times: Was it the Indians who killed Lassen – or was it some white renegades?
“There has, so far, been no answer to this question, so the murder is today – as in 1859 – still an unsolved mystery. It seems however, that not all of the involved persons believed that the Indians were the perpetrators. Already on May 20, 1859, Major F. Dodger, who was an Indian Agent – and after the murder had to make investigations and to hold inquiries, insinuated that it could have been a white man – meaning, Lemericus Wyatt – who was the murderer!
“The rumors that the perpetrators could be white – maybe Wyatt – or one of the four men from Captain Weatherlow’s party, whom had been camping only one mile away from the murder site, made the residents from the valley infuriated. One of the men, Captain Weatherlow, protested vigorously – and soon after this insinuation was rejected.
“If Lassen had a map of a silver mine, this could have caused his death. As far as we know today, Peter Lassen had no enemies, neither among the whites nor among the Indians…Fairfield quotes that either the Pit River Indian’s or some of renegades from the Black Rock area killed Peter Lassen and Edward Clapper. But, if it was not the Indians – and not Wyatt, or the four men from the other party, who killed Lassen and Clapper…? Could it have been possible that one, maybe more persons from Susanville had heard about the map locating the rich valley mine – and that this person or those persons had sneaked out after Lassen’s party…? The answer to this bewildering question may be forever [……….]
from “Uncle Peter” page 108-109
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Exploration • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is February 26, 1845.
Location. 40° 21.066′ N, 120° 38.389′ W. Marker is in Susanville, California, in Lassen County. Marker is located 5 miles SE of Susanville on Ringfield Road (via Richmond Road) on the Kiosk at the entrance to the Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2550 Wingfield Road, Susanville CA 96130, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Birth of Peter Lassen (here, next to this marker); Lassen’s Bosquejo Rancho (here, next to this marker); Peter Lassen In California (here, next to this marker); Migration of Peter Lassen (here, next to this marker); Peter Lassen Grave (a few steps from this marker); Susanville Railroad Depot (approx. 4.3 miles away); Susanville Veterans Memorial Building (approx. 4.6 miles away); Lassen County Courthouse (approx. 4.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Susanville.
More about this marker. This is the sixth in a series of six markers. These should be reviewed in the following order:
1. Birth of Peter Lassen
2. Migration of Peter Lassen
3. Peter Lassen In California
4. Lassen’s Bosquejo Ranchero
5. Peter Lassen Grave
6. Burial of Peter Lassen
Also see . . . Find A Grave – Peter Lassen. (Submitted on December 8, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2018. It was originally submitted on December 8, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,851 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 8, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.